Retiring soon! Is the free SketchUp a decent 2D hobbyist program?

Retiring soon! Is the free SketchUp a decent 2D hobbyist program?

DartGTDan-2018
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Retiring soon! Is the free SketchUp a decent 2D hobbyist program?

DartGTDan-2018
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

My nearly 36 years in electrical engineering (with Chrysler) is coming to an end.  I've never had any formal AutoCAD training, but I have tinkered with it since the late 1980s (starting with version 10) creating 2D wiring diagrams for test equipment, wire harnesses and such.

 

I have a few personal 2D drawings that I'd like to be able to fiddle around with once I'm retired.  I cannot justify the cost of AutoCAD for my needs.  So, because I'm cheap 🤣, will the free version of SketchUp allow me to keep and use my personal drawings?  If my research is correct, I should save my drawings as an older version of AutoCAD and/or a *.dxf for each.

 

Any insights/opinions are welcomed.

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pendean
Community Legend
Community Legend

SketchUp, the free version, is a great tool for hobbyists.
But if you want to use DWG/DXF files, you'll have to pay for the Pro version.

 

Try other options, some are free:


https://all3dp.com/2/best-autocad-alternatives/

https://beebom.com/free-cad-software/

https://www.google.com/search?q=free+alternates+to+autocad

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